Local News at Your Fingertips

Beachport lights up for leukemia fundraiser

The Leukemia Foundation’s annual light the night fundraiser begins today at 12 noon with a full afternoon of events, food and fundraising at Beachport. This event is hosted every year by Sharon Cox and again this year she has planned a fantastic day for the annual fundraiser. Just $116 can provide transportation for a person to be driven to receive chemo when they are too ill to drive and funds raised with this fundraiser will provide a unit for people to stay in during treatment and this is most important for country people needing to stay in the city for treatment.

Times on the following program of events for today are approximate so come and plan to spend the afternoon into the evening for the spectacular ‘Light the Night Walk’ along the jetty.

12 noon with a BBQ hosted by the Beachport Rivoli Bay Lions Club.

2.00pm The Blessing of the Fleet will be held,

3.00pm, Bompas Jam Session

4.00pm Auction on the Bompas Lawn, with all proceeds Going to the Leukaemia Foundation to Help them provide World-Class Support Services, as well as Research Into better treatments and ultimately cures of these diseases,

5.30pm Join us for A BBQ Hosted by the Beachport Rivoli Bay Lions Club and at

7.30pm we will commence our walk along the Jetty.

Recently released stats from the Leukenia Foundaiton about the work of Light the Night

* More than 60,000 Australians are living with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma or a related blood disorder, and every day, another 34 people are diagnosed.

* You can help to brighten lives by joining the Leukaemia Foundation’s Light the Night Walk at Beachport tonight

* As night falls, gather with family and friends for a moving ceremony where you can light a special lantern:

* Gold, to remember a loved one

* White, for your own blood cancer journey, or

* Blue, to show you care.

* Then join us for a gentle, scenic walk. It is beautiful.

* The money you raise will ensure the Leukaemia Foundation can continue to help Australian families impacted by blood cancer by giving them the emotional and practical support they need, and funding blood cancer research to find the cures of tomorrow.

* Your presence will also lift the hearts of our nation as we walk on one night across Australia, in hope for a future free of blood cancer.

* The Leukaemia Foundation receives no ongoing government funding and relies on community support to continue its important work. The Foundation aims to raise $1.5 million this year.

Fast facts

* Leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma are types of blood cancer.

* Blood cancer and related blood disorders can develop in anyone, of any age, at any time.

* More than 60,000 Australians are living with blood cancer or related blood disorders.

* Today, another 34 people will be given the news that they have blood cancer – equivalent to one person every 42 minutes.

* Although research is improving survival, sadly an Australian loses their life to blood cancer every two hours.

* Blood cancer claims more lives than more common cancers like breast cancer and melanoma.

* The Leukaemia Foundation is the only national charity entirely dedicated to reducing the impact of blood cancer in Australia.

* $116 can help someone get to and from a chemotherapy appointment when they’re too unwell to drive.

* $360 can provide emotional support from one of our trained professionals to help 10 families overcome the shock of diagnosis.

* $560 can give a regional family free accommodation for a week, close to where they are being treated.

* $1600 can fund the laboratory costs of a researcher on a major blood cancer research project for a month.